ZIPPIN PIPPIN Rollercoaster

The Zippin Pippin Rollercoaster Green Bay, WI
The Zippin Pippin is one of the country's oldest wooden roller coasters. It was built in 1912 and was moved to its current location at the Mid-South Fairgrounds in 1923. In 1976, an amusement park called Libertyland was built around the coaster. Elvis, himself, loved the Zippin Pippin and would occasionally rent out the entire amusement park so that he could ride it without interruption. In fact, a sign posted at the coaster's entrance reads:

"The Zippin Pippin was Elvis Presley's favorite ride. The "King" rented Libertyland August 8, 1977 from 1:15 am to 7 am. to entertain a group of about 10 guests. Decked in a blue jumpsuit with black leather belt, huge belt buckle with turquoise studs and gold chains, the "King" rode the Zippin Pippin repeatedly during a two-hour period. He lost his belt buckle on the ride that morning, and it was found and returned the next day. Elvis's Libertyland rental became his last public appearance. He died August 16."

In 2005, Libertyland closed its gates, citing financial difficulties. The Zippin Pippin still stands, however, and you can still see it from the parking lot at the fairgrounds. Although you cannot ride the coaster at this time, efforts are ongoing to get it running again.

Originally constructed by John A. Miller and Harry Baker of National Amusement Devices.
What does pippin mean?


Originally meaning seed i.e. orange pip, and a type of apple.
Sometime around the 1920's, possibly earlier, "pippin" started being used to mean something greatly admired, a pretty girl or a car, for example. "She's a beaut", "a corker", "a knockout", "a lulu", " a peach", "a pippin".

This meaning may be what John Miller had in mind when he started calling some of his coasters "Pippin", although no one knows for sure. He also was fond of calling them "Dips" or "Dippers".


In addition to the Pippin in Memphis, he had Pippin Dips coasters in Riverview Park, Chicago, and at Lagoon Resort, Salt Lake City, and a Pippin coaster at Kennywood Park outside Pittsburg (converted into the Thunderbolt in 1968).*


The Memphis Pippin was called "Giant Coaster" in the construction contract of August, 1923, and "Camels Back" in the photo of the new Fairgrounds rides in the local paper when the Tri-State Fair opened in September. The earliest researchers found the name Pippin used was May 31, 1924, and that is what it was called until 1976 when the people running the new Libertyland decided it should be renamed the Zippin Pippin
Bay Beach Park's history began in 1892 when a young entrepreneur, Mitchell Nejedlo, was attracted to the natural beauty of the area and purchased a small strip of land at the north end of what is now Irwin Avenue and began developing the land for a private beach resort which he named Bay View Beach.

In 1902, Nejedlo teamed up with Captain John Cusick, who bought out Nejedlo in 1908. A roller coaster operated at the park from 1901 - 1922, the Jack Rabbit, and a second coaster, the Greyhound, from 1929 - 1936.


The City of Green Bay has been purchasing land west of the park as it became available for over 80 years. In 2009, the master plan for Bay Beach was adopted and included a new roller coaster.


On February 22, 2010 the Park Committee approved buying the rights to the Zippin Pippin. The matter went before the City Council and on March 3, 2010 they gave their approval to purchase which included the rights to the name, design and any historic items. On March 19, 2010 the Mayor and representatives of Save Libertyland, Inc. signed the $10,000 purchase contract.




* Robert Cartmell's book on coaster history, "The Incredible Scream Machine". The Roller Coaster Almanac adds that there were also Pippins at Summit Beach Park in Akron, Luna Park in Cleveland and Wildwood Amusement Park in Mahtomedi, Minnesota.

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